Homesteading Resources
Curious about trying sustainable practices at home? These local resources are great for gardeners, small farmers, homesteaders, canners and fermenters of all levels of experience.
Sturgeons Mill has demonstration weekends 4 times per year. It’s fascinating to watch the turn of the century steam-powered machines mill trees, and at weekend events they put out large quantities of milled redwood slabs for FREE in their parking lot. These are live edge pieces that are great for terracing, building up raised beds and more. Year-round they offer a reliable pile of free chips as well, dropped by local arborists working on the roads nearby.
Willowside School plant sales feature mostly one gallon perennials, natives, pollinators, and gorgeous Japanese maples at bargain prices. They sell a lot of California natives, succulents, grasses, and many beautiful species that will invite beneficial insects, butterflies, and hummingbirds. These sales benefit the local school, and the parents running the program are highly knowledgeable. They also accept donations of gallon pots for re-use. Cash or check only!
Occidental Arts and Ecology Center has volunteer garden days nearly every Wednesday, 10 - 4:30pm. Walk-ins are welcome, and if you can volunteer for at least three hours, lunch is included! Check the schedule to make sure they are in session and head over to help out in their biointensive farm with propagation, planting, composting, etc. Learn from the experts and get hands-on experience with farming!
Zero Waste Sonoma's 10% rebate program for compost purchases from that applies to annual purchases made within a fiscal year (July 1-June 30) and must equal or exceed 30 yards. Your application must be submitted BEFORE applicable purchases.
Joe Matto’s Cheese creates 3 varieties of Portuguese-style cow’s milk cheese at a very reasonable price. The aged picante is a great substitute for parmigiano! It's also fun to visit their dairy where they sell their own eggs and meats.
There are many, many farmer’s markets in Sonoma County, but Imwale is open all the time, sells their own produce, plant starts, and many other local producers. They have great asparagus crowns, seed potatoes, and onion sets in season.